Diabetes Clinical Research Trials

This country faces a serious challenge when it comes to diabetes. Without a cure, the cost of treating those living with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes will soon become unmanageable. This is why diabetes is such a key focus for clinical research, and why we are conducting diabetes clinical trials here in Birmingham, AL. Research studies give us an opportunity to improve upon existing therapies, as well as gain a better understanding of the many dynamic elements involved in fighting diabetes.

The cells of the human body require glucose (sugar) in order to perform the tasks they were designed for. Our bodies obtain the glucose from the foods that we consume. Insulin are these very important particles which break down the glucose from food, so that it can be absorbed into the cells. Essentially, diabetes is the result of an excess of glucose in the body’s blood stream. There’s more than one type of diabetes, because there’s more than one issue that causes this buildup.

Fast Facts About Diabetes

Just about 8.3 percent (that’s around 25.8 million people) of Americans are living with some type of diabetes.

While about 18.8 million people have been diagnosed, there are at least 7 million people who don’t even know they have diabetes.

Experts estimate that 79 million American adults have pre-diabetes (one step from developing diabetes).

Diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and blindness.

Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, is the result of an autoimmune disorder. The immune system can produce these specific auto-antibodies which seek out and attack the beta cells in the pancreas. The human body cannot produce insulin without these beta cells. Without insulin, glucose from food cannot be broken down to “feed” cells. The cells of the body will starve unless patients manually inject insulin at the appropriate times during the day. For more information on type 1 diabetes, please visit our dedicated T1D section.

Type 2 diabetes, sometimes called adult-onset diabetes, can develop when the body has become too insulin resistant. While T1D patients can’t produce insulin, T2D patients can still produce their own. The issue is that their body no longer uses it efficiently. Complicating factors such as overall diet and fitness levels mean that the body might have to start producing more and more insulin to do the trick. Eventually, it reaches a point where the body has become resistant to the level of insulin it’s able to produce. For more information on type 2 diabetes, please visit our dedicated T2D section.

(Due to the growing prevalence of T1D and T2D in such a wide variety of demographics, terms like juvenile diabetes and adult-onset diabetes have been largely phased out.)

Understanding Prediabetes

As mentioned earlier, the number of people already living with diabetes is immense, but unfortunately it could become a whole lot more common over the next two decades. Experts working for the CDC and the American Diabetes Association estimate that there are at least 80 million Americans who have prediabetes (meaning that their blood glucose levels are above the healthy level). How would you know if you’re developing diabetes? Here are some specific indications to be aware of.

When glucose levels build up in the bloodstream, it can permanently damage vital organs and other bodily systems, such as the:

Eyes

Nerves

Kidneys

Once diabetes has set it, it also leaves people much more susceptible to other chronic conditions, like:

Anyone who is interested in one of our diabetes clinical trials should know that their participation represents a serious commitment. Taking part in a clinical trial in Birmingham, AL may only require agreeing to let our researchers have a copy of your test results, but most will involve more than that.

Participants will be compensated for time and travel, and any study related care. The following are all provided free of charge:

Physical examinations

Laboratory services

Study related medication

Read about other personal experiences with Diabetes on the Achieve Clinical blog

Diabetes Clinical Trials in Birmingham, Alabama

Achieve Clinical Research is currently conducting a wide array of clinical studies targeted towards certain conditions. You may be eligible to participate in one of our diabetes clinical trials and contribute to the development and approval of a new drug or treatment. As a participant, there is no cost to you at any point during the study and health insurance is not required. Browse our clinical trials being conducted now to find the study best suited for you.